RE: [Paddlewise] Storm Wing?

I'm sure Kevin will jump in with his own responce, but as a committed wing
user, I felt I needed to get involved with this one.

I suspect Kevin's comments were meant as an "informative joke".  He was
probably refering to the fact that many strokes with "proper" Greenland
paddles also include a hydrodynamic lift component.  If you define a "wing"
paddle as any paddle that generates lift, than you could call a Greenland
paddle a wing.  

... But as you point out, a true "wing paddle" (like the ones racers use)
and a "greenland" paddle couldn't be more different.  Yes you can (and i do)
use a wing paddle stroke with a greenland paddle, but that doesn't make them
the same beast.  The fact is, there are many things you can do with  a
greenland paddle that you can't do with a wing paddle (sculling strokes and
high braces for example).  And I can get much more power from my totally
awesome Epic wing paddle than from my Greenland paddle.

Before all you greenlanders out there get upset and think i'm calling
Greenland paddles slow, I want to emphasize that when I'm going out with a
group and need to cruise long distances, I frequently use my Greenland
paddle.  I love them.  They are so gentle on the joints and I love playing
with the inherent bouancy in the paddle.  Also, using my greenland paddle
for recreational paddling, I have no problem keeping up  with the group.  

--Tim

P.S. Interesting enough, in my Khatsalano or my sea lion, my top speed is
the same with my wing and my greenland paddle.  I had to use a boat designed
for racing, a Seda Glider, before I saw a difference between the paddles ---
and the difference was signficant.  I was around 20% faster with my wing
than with my greenland paddle.  The point is, you have to consider the
resistance generated by the boat when looking at speed.  Its not enough to
just look at the paddle.


-----Original Message-----
From: Gerald Foodman
To: K. Whilden; Mattson, Timothy G
Cc: 'paddlewise '
Sent: 4/19/99 10:02 PM
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Storm Wing?


-----Original Message-----
From: K. Whilden <kwhilden_at_u.washington.edu>
>
>I use a wing paddle in storm conditions all the time. .... It is a
>Greenland paddle. By far the best rough water, high or low bracing,
>sculling, and rolling paddle that exists.  And, if you use a properly
>constructed Greenland paddle with modern wing paddle technique, you
will
>be amazed at the speed and power available.
>
>Just my opinion...
>Kevin
>
>ps. I have yet to see a commercially produced Greenland paddle that is
>anything close to what a proper Greenland paddle should be.
>
>***********************************************************************
****

Kevin,
I don't at all understand how you consider a Greenland like a wing.  I
have
a commercial Greenland (by Mark Rogers of Superior Kayaks) and have
tried
wing wing paddles.  They couldn't be more different.  What am I missing?
Are you joking?  What do you mean by modern wing technique with a
Greenland?
Don't you use a very low flat stroke with the Greenland?

And what do you mean by properly constructed Greenland? What is wrong
with
the Mark Rogers paddles?

(I liked the Greenland but now use an AT, which seems to me better in
every
way, except cost, where it is MUCH worse.)

Another question:  Do you use a very short "Storm" Greenland, with
sliding
stroke,  for storm paddling?  It seems to me that even the usual
Greenland
length of 7' is too short for rough water paddling.  I prefer 7'6".

Jerry



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